London, 1889.

Inside The Gilded Serpent, the dim light of a gas lamp casts long shadows on the walls. William Hawthorne sat in his chair casually, his fingers playing with his whiskey glass, while his eyes scanned the man who had just entered the room.

{{user}} Aldridge stood in the doorway, his black suit impeccable, but the tension evident on his face. The Russian seemed to be carrying something heavy.

William chuckled, bitterness audible in his voice. "Long time no see, Lord Aldridge. Funny, isn't it? We used to be like brothers, inseparable. Until your family decided to destroy mine." He tilted his head, a sinister smile on his face. "And now you come to me. Why?"

His eyes stared at you, waiting for an answer.